Obituary of Edna Lucille Kester Norris

Edna Lucille Kester Norris, 100, of Fairmont, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, December 29, 2023 at the Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. She was born on August 15, 1923 in Taylor County, WV, a daughter of the late Carson L. and Jessie F. Henderson Kester. She was preceded in death in 1965 by her loving husband, Ralph E. Norris. Edna was a 1941 graduate of Grafton High School and the oldest member of the Meadowdale H & H Chapel United Methodist Church, where she was very active, participating in the Willing Workers, and many knew her as “Queen Edna” the pie maker. She also created and continued the annual church craft show for over 25 years. Edna worked throughout her entire life, she started at Hazel Atlas in Grafton, and continued as an Avon consultant, a school cook at the Meadowdale school, a cashier with Thorofare, Jones Fur Service, where she monogramed and maintained furs, and with the Workingmans Store where she retired as a cashier. Edna was a talented seamstress and enjoyed needlework, quilting, and crocheting. She enjoyed reading, and working jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Edna proudly cheered on WVU Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates, and listened to all East Fairmont High School football games on the radio. She was very competitive and enjoyed a rousing game of cards, as well as playing board games and croquet with her grandchildren. Edna obtained her driver’s license at the age of 42 and enjoyed leisurely driving back country roads. She is survived by three daughters, Sandra (Paul) Norris Swiger of Fairmont, Beverley Norris Beveridge of Fairmont, and Janet (Kenneth) Norris Trueman of Rivesville. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stephanie A. Swiger Spevock, Steven E.(Susan) Swiger, Erin R. (T.J.) Beveridge Parks, Jessica L. (Jarod) Beveridge Graffius, great grandchildren, Logan D. Spevock, Brea N. Spevock, Kaelee R. Spevock, Sam A. Swiger and his fiancé Ally Raines, Shay N. Swiger and her companion Faith Palmer, Conner Graffius, and Ian Graffius, as well as many special nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her son-in law, Brent Beveridge, her two sisters, Helen V. Kester Kerns and her husband Earl, and Dortha Kester Taylor and her husband Virgil. Memorial contributions may be made in Edna’s memory to WVU Medicine Hospice, 12 Rousch Drive, Weston, WV 26501, and Meadowdale H & H Chapel, c/o Patty Kisner, 357 Sunrise Acre Circle, Grafton, WV 26354. The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no public visitation or funeral service. Friends are invited to join the family on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 1 pm at Harmony Grove Cemetery, 604 Harmony Grove Road, Grafton, WV, for a graveside service with Reverend Bert Coffman officiating. Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.